A crackdown on rogue private parking companies cashing in on driver data has been welcomed by a Devon MP.

A bill before Parliament on Friday aims to ban such companies from accessing driver data and issuing fines as part of a new Government scheme.

Torbay MP Kevin Foster has been lobbying for changes to protect motorists from companies operating parking controls on private land after receiving many complaints.

He said: “For too long residents, visitors and shoppers have unwittingly been caught out by sharp practices from cowboy operators in the private parking industry.

Kevin Foster in the House

“Since being elected in 2015 I have received regular complaints about enforcement practices in a handful of privately owned car parks, far exceeding those I receive about enforcement in 39 operated by Torbay Council.

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“It is the link to DVLA data which enables many of these companies to operate and access to this must be based on stricter standards than is currently the case.

“This bill is very welcome and will make a difference here in the Bay.

Being able to tell the difference between a Penalty Charge Notice and a Parking Charge Notice could save you money

“A clear set of standards aimed at driving out the most unscrupulous practices will not only help local motorists, but encourage more to visit our bay and boost the businesses located near local privately owned car parks who lose trade when a customer is caught out by unfair practices from an private operator.”

There are 13 times more parking tickets being issued now compared to over a decade ago – with 11 tickets now being issued every minute in the UK, it has been revealed.

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid confirmed the Government would support the Parking (Code of Practice) Bill, which is due for its second reading in the House of Commons on Friday, effectively guaranteeing its passage into law.

He said the legislation will provide ‘fair, clear and consistent’ regulation of the parking industry and allow a clampdown on “unscrupulous” and “aggressive” private parking operators.

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Parking management firms collect vehicle keeper records and use the information to send out penalty charges for alleged infringements in private car parks. Demands of £100 are not uncommon, reports the Derby Telegraph .

The problem is that the industry is currently self-regulated and there are concerns about sharp practice and the legal basis for enforcing such charges.

Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Sajid Javid

The code of practice will be developed with motoring groups and other experts. Parking firms falling foul of the rules will be blocked from accessing driver data and issuing fines, effectively forcing them out of the industry.

Drivers’ growing disquiet about the rules on parking are underlined by figures showing nearly 10,000 people approached the Citizens Advice Bureau for guidance on parking tickets last year.

Mr Javid said drivers have suffered for too long “at the hands of dodgy parking firms”.

He said: “That is why government is putting the brakes on these rogue operators and backing new laws that will put a stop to aggressive behaviour and provide a simpler way for drivers to appeal fines.”

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said the move would bring “some much-needed regulatory rigour to the world of private parking”.

He added: “Drivers don’t want a parking free-for-all, but they do want a system that is fair to all parties and that’s what a code of practice set by government – rather than the industry itself – should bring about.”

Andrew Knight's contest parking charge

One problem is that drivers may not know the difference between a parking charge notice and a penalty charge notice.

Motorists across Devon could potentially save hundreds of pounds a year by understanding which can be challenged and by knowing their rights.

Penalty charge notices are only issued by an official body like a council or police force, granted powers by legislation passed by Parliament that cover various parking misdemeanours such as breaching the terms and conditions of parking in council-controlled car parks.

Private companies have no such powers and often try to trick drivers into thinking their notices are the same in a bid to force people to pay.

Being able to tell the difference between a Penalty Charge Notice and a Parking Charge Notice could save you money.

HOW TO CONTEST A PARKING CHARGE NOTICE:

Simply respond that you are refusing to pay.

DON'T say you are appealing the ticket, as this legitimises the ticket.

Also write 'Without Prejudice' on the letter – then no information in the letter can be used against you.

What happens next?

If the company rejects your dispute, then you can escalate to the firm's trade member association.

You must have an official reference number from the company and their reasons for rejecting your dispute.

They will refer you to POPLA, the Independent Tribunal for Parking Fines.

Around 40% of appeals are upheld in the favour of the public.

If you wish to dispute the ticket, then you have 28 days in which to dispute after the firm that issued the ticket has rejected your appeal.

I'VE BEEN ISSUED A PENALTY CHARGE NOTICE, WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?

If you have received a parking ticket, the person who issued it has determined that you have parked your car somewhere you’re not allowed to.

Firstly, you should work out if it's from the local council, or a private company (these tend to look alike).

Once issued with a penalty charge notice you will be expected to pay a penalty charge of £130 for a serious parking offence or £40 to £80 for a less serious offence - although this can vary by council.

You can reduce your fine by paying within 14-days.

I want to appeal my case

If you think the council penalty charge notice has been issued wrongly you must make your reasons known as soon as you can by writing to the address on the notice or getting in touch online.

Your appeal will then be reviewed and you will be made aware of the outcome.

You have 28 days to challenge a penalty charge notice.

If you do it within 14 days and your challenge is rejected, you may only have to pay 50% of the fine.

If you're appealing your ticket, hold on to any photographs from the scene, letters you've received, mitigating circumstances and any statements if possible.

This also includes:

A valid pay and display ticket

A letter from someone who was with you saying what happened – write ‘Witness statement’ at the top of this

A repair note, if your car broke down

Make sure you include:

The date the ticket was issued

Your address

Your vehicle registration number

The penalty notice number

To appeal your case, you'll need to prove your innocence.

You can appeal if the traffic signs were wrong, the council has made an error on the ticket, you've already paid the fine, the signs are misleading or confusing, you didn't own the vehicle at the time or you've been overcharged.